A hybrid method for controlling a railway system and an apparatus therefor

Abstract

50 Abstract A method is provided for operating a transport network, for example a rail freight network including receiving a state report (or "snapshot") of the transport network including positions of the vehicles and states of the network control apparatuses via the data communications network. A plurality of computer simulations of the transport network are run with reference to the state report. The computer simulations generate a number of feasible timetables and subsequently one of them is selected as an optimal feasible timetable, being a timetable that best satisfies demands for load at terminals of the network. Each of the plurality of computer simulations involves moving vehicle agents corresponding to the vehicles over a graph of the transport network according to a vehicle movement procedure that is configured to avoid gridlocking. The computer simulations are also run according to an optimal destination selection method which is configured to optimise vehicle agent journeys to meet the demand for the loads at locations in the transport network. Each of the plurality of computer simulations is made with varied weightings in respect of optimisation factors in the optimal destination selection method to thereby vary each of the number of feasible timetables. The method includes identifying an optimal timetable from the number of feasible timetables and issuing controls to the vehicles and network control apparatus via the data communications network to control movement of the vehicles across the transport network in accordance with the optimal timetable. 20 21 10 77 13 2 5 A ug 2 02 1 50 Abstract2021107713 25 2021 Aug 50 Abstract 50 Abstract 20 21 22 16 26 2 5 A ug 2 02 1 20 21 10 77 13 2 5 A ug 2 02 12021107713 25 Aug 2021 1 7 7 7 5 3 FIG. 1 9a 1 1 / 15 Communications Position Tracker 19 System 15 5 7 Propulsion Control System 13 System 11 FIG. 2 1 7 7 1 / 15 Position Tracker 7 Propulsion

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